Parties should fix quota for women: E.C.
The Election Commission has suggested that it
should be made mandatory for political parties to give a fixed
percentage of seats to woman candidates rather than reserve
constituencies exclusively earmarked for women. This is one of
the series of suggestions made by the Commission in its agenda
for electoral reforms commended for political parties.

India disappointed as Japan strikes a different note
India is deeply disappointed at Japan's
continuing inability to adjust its policies to the new strategic
realities in the subcontinent. The latest offer from the Japanese
Government to host talks between India and Pakistan is being seen
here as not only gratuitous but also as reflective of a deeper
problem with Tokyo's approach to the region since Pokharan-II.

Pak. move to check abuse of blasphemy laws
In the first-ever bid to check the abuse of
blasphemy laws against minorities, the Pakistani Chief Executive,
Gen. Pervez Musharraf, said today that an FIR in a blasphemy
offence would be registered only after ``preliminary
investigation'' and scrutiny by a Deputy Commissioner.

Industry awaits a rollback
Having almost given up hopes of any relief
from the Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, on his budget
proposals, the industry is now keenly watching the ongoing tussle
at the political level on a rollback of food and fertilizer
subsidy cuts.

Bodo council dissolved
The Assam Government has dissolved the
interim Bodo Autonomous Council and constituted a monitoring
committee comprising legislators of the area in its place,
official sources said here today.

Indian dies in Pakistan
An Indian reportedly working for military
intelligence died in custody in Pakistan on April 17 and his body
has been lying in a Lahore hospital since then, according to
official sources. The sources said that the Pakistan authorities
have agreed to return the body.

Supreme Court sets aside HC verdict in widow case
The Supreme Court, in ruling that a
destitute widow can claim maintenance from her father or mother,
was adjudicating a case relating to one Sham Singh who had willed
one-third of his property each to his widowed daughter, who was
dependent on him, and two brothers.